After working for 5 years, Jim Butcher mentioned that Peace Talks was shaping up to be the longest, bloodiest Dresden Files book yet. The he surprised everybody by announcing it was actually two books - Peace Talks and Battle Grounds.

So this is the first half of single planned book, and it reads like it. It’s essentially the first act of a play, and all the pieces are still getting moved around. There’s new villains introduced, and Harry needs to figure out how to rescue Thomas, but very little is actually resolved. I have a feeling (and some internet people have confirmed) that this is going to read very differently when Battle Grounds actually comes out and storylines actually get resolved.

I’ve read most of the short stories, and I usually think they’re kind of inconsequential, but I do think this book relied on knowledge from the short stories a little more than normal. Also, the ones involving Molly (Bombshells and Cold Case) seem the most plot relevant, since without them Molly is a huge enigma.

All in all I was a little underwhelmed, but I am excited for Battle Grounds to actually finish the story. Luckily it only comes out in September.

Some things I liked:

• Whenever Ebenezer takes the field it’s a treat, and this book continued that
• Harry has some nice “let’s think a little and make a plan” moments instead of just rushing in and lighting things on fire
• Maggie and Mouse, just generally a 10-year-old girl and her dog/protector, remaining awesome

Some things I didn’t like:

• the titular peace talks start 200 pages into the book, and take about 4 chapters. One of them has a heist.
• Thomas obviously not saying “Justine” about six times, and Harry responding “don’t worry, I’ll take care of Justine”